For those who don't know, and may have been wondering. Cabinet Rub is a term used by some speculators within the hobby for a term to describe a smooth/worn spot(s) on an unsellable or highly displayed coin which has purportedly been moved about in a coin display shelf for an extended period of time; as a less damning option to saying the coin was infact in circulation at some point. As you can imagine the metallurgical makeup of the coin along with it's dimensions contribute directly to the (said) rub factor. I for one don't believe in the use of the term in the context it's being used numismatically these days. I call em all AU-58. Take Care Ben
Interesting point Ben. Of course, this is one area where the "dreaded" market grading kicks in. There are coins our there with absolutely pristine, new surfaces that look MS-64/65, except that they have the slightest of high point rub or friction. I have seen some beautiful 19th century proof coins that look gem, but have reverse friction simply from laying against a surface and being moved. It would be fun if they were all in AU-58 holders. Then we could go around cherrypicking all of the really nice ones. Of course, they are all graded MS-62 though.
Cabinet Rub doesn't usually look as smooth as wear does, under magnification. At least from what I've been privy to view.
A very insightful comment, and one I personally agree with. However, it is important to understand that the TPGs (and the market by and in large outside of the EAC) don't. Lastly, I think true cabinet friction (i.e. induced by storage in a cabinet) is fairly rare and common usage of the term is quite different -- more like wear which hasn't yet caused a luster disturbance in the fields....Mike
If the luster isn't disturbed, how can you detect wear? I tend to agree with Ben that the coins should be AU58 even if the TPGs let them slide(r), but many AU58 coins should probably sell for higher prices than MS60-6X coins that show no wear but have other surface defects. AU is my favorite grade.
I believe Cabinet Friction, Cabinet Rub and Slider are all older terms used before AU (and particularly AU-58) came into fashion. A good point was made that wear of this type (vs. from circulation) is most likely to show only on one side of a coin, generally the reverse. I know I'm opening a "can of worms", but this is one place where dual grading (obverse/reverse) would be apropos.
Cabinet wear, a term used to try and justify charging and Uncirculated price for an AU coin. Wear is wear, whether it came from the coin sliding back and forth on a tray in a coin cabinet, or sliding across the bar buying a drink.
Better yet - how can you have wear and not have a break in luster? Maybe I missed something or just got confused reading the threads.
I have a few Thalers from the HRE (17th century) which show very slight worn patches upon the bust while much of the rest of the coin has original lustre...is this cabinet friciton or just wear ?
The term has been used by numismatists, and not merely "speculators", for decades. And it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with "unsellable" coins either. You're free to "call em all AU-58" too, but many examples that are graded AU58 exhibit signs of actual circulation, such as contact marks/abrasions and not just cabinet/stacking friction. On the other hand, many of those which are described as having cabinet/stacking friction are free of the aforementioned contact/circulation marks. While some people might prefer to lump them all together, the quality and value of the latter are often far greater than that of the former. Edited to add: By the way, some degree of cabinet friction is present on many, if not most Capped Bust Half Dollars, even those graded as high as MS65-MS66.
Please re-read my post. I said the luster isn't disturbed in the fields. You can detect the high-point rub (i.e. cabinet or stacking friction) by looking at the high points of the design -- the devices and rims generally -- where you will see the luster disturbed, yet the fields are virtually pristine from a rub perspective....Mike
Indeed, in many cases some of those marks be attributed to contact with one another directly after being struck. Maybe in sacks on the way to or from the bank or mint. Half dollars at the time were the major denomination used for large purchases like property, livestock, and transfers between banks/financial institutions then. As to their grade today, while they would still be considered MS, these coins would show signs of circulation, thus receiving a grade (todays standard) of low to mid Mint State. One must remember, these coins would never have seen the pocket, purse, or saddle bag of a private citizen. Thus one of the reasons for so many nice coins available today. In closing, IMHO these coins should be recognized as BAGGY... Cabinet Rub is an incorrect/misleading term leading one to believe the coin has been simply on display for decades remaining unsold. Take Care Ben
